Diseases & Conditions

Overcoming Depression

Depression is a complex disorder with many forms. Some people have a clearly sad, depressed mood; others become irritable and short-tempered. One common factor is that everything in life seems uninteresting, like looking at life through a dark filter. Some people describe it as a loss of the “zest for life.” Once a depressed or irritable mood has been identified, health care professionals use a simple strategy to assess depression called SIGECAPS, which looks at eight life functional areas:

Sleep

Is there an inadequate amount of sleep (insomnia)? Is it difficult to fall asleep, or is there a pattern of waking up early and not being able to fall back asleep (maintenance insomnia). Maintenance insomnia is very common with depression. Is there too much sleep (hypersomnia)? Sometimes depressed people sleep from 10 to 12 to 14 hours a day.

Interest

Has there been a loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once pleasurable? Does having fun or relaxing just seem too much of a bother? Have projects and/or relationships been ignored?

Guilt

Is there a feeling of having let someone down, of being responsible for failures and problems?

Energy

Is there a noticeable lack of energy compared with before?

Concentration

Is it difficult to pay attention to something or someone without being distracted by other thoughts? Are problems with memory or work occurring? Are there frequent requests for others to repeat information because of inattention?

Appetite

Has there been a significant loss of interest in eating? Any weight loss? Alternatively, has there been random eating or weight gain?

Psychomotor agitation or retardation.

Is there a sense of feeling jittery or antsy; is it hard to sit still? Is there frequent shaking or pacing? Alternatively, is there a sense of being slowed down, weighed down, or dragging around?

Suicide/Homicide

Have there been any thoughts of death, thoughts of self-harm, harming others, suicide or homicide? Is there a concrete plan? Are the means to carry out this plan (eg, weapons) available? Is there an alcohol or drug problem that might make the person more impulsive or impair judgment? Have there been past attempts? Is there a willingness to talk about this, to seek professional help?

If there is any indication of depression, please seek professional help. All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously. If there is a concrete plan, or an attempt has been made, go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

Some psychotherapy techniques for depression

Identify and assign reinforcers: Assigning the person to engage in pleasurable activities.

Enlist social support: Depression makes people irritable and withdrawn, which naturally drives others away. Special efforts are made to encourage and educate significant others.

Concrete problem-solving: Depressed people often feel trapped in exploitative situations or relationships. Assertiveness training allows them to express their needs and, if necessary, separate from these situations.

Challenge unrealistic beliefs: Depression often involves feelings of hyper-responsibility (“It's all up to me.”) or all-or-nothing thinking (“If she doesn't say hello, she must hate me.”). The depressed person needs to re-evaluate these unrealistic beliefs.

Analyze past losses and traumas: Grief over the death of a loved one, or guilt over surviving, often evokes intense anger over abandonment. Situations similar to childhood traumas may bring up unexpected hostility.

What to do with suicidal or homicidal thoughts

Take all such statements seriously. Violence against self or others results from depression, anger, and hopelessness combined with impulsiveness, poor judgment, and/or intoxication. Many so-called “cries for help” end up as completed suicides.

Contact a mental health professional. If there is a concrete plan or an actual attempt, go to the hospital emergency department immediately.

Hold the person accountable for threatened action. It is the depressed person's plan; refuse responsibility for any suicide or violence.

Remove means of violence (usually weapons) and any alcohol and drugs from the home.

Be with the person, or at least be readily accessible. Accompany the person to treatment so that you can provide history and background information, as well as social support.

Be especially wary when the person's depression lifts. This is the most common time for a completed suicide, perhaps because an increase in energy allows the person to carry out the plan.

Living with a depressed person

Depression is a pervasive disorder that affects a person's body, thoughts, emotions and interpersonal relationships. Often, well-meaning relatives and friends can exacerbate the depression by either denying the depressed person's experience (“Cheer up! Things aren't so bad!”) or by taking over control (“Stop sulking and go to work!”). Here are some suggestions for living with a depressed person that may make things easier for you and more beneficial for the depressed person.

Recognize that depression is often expressed as hostility, rejection, and irritability – especially in men. These are signs of a disease, not a personal rejection.

Understand that depression is a disorder with biological, psychological, and interpersonal components; it is not a personal weakness or an admission of failure. Make sure the depressed person knows that you understand this fact.

Adopt a “one-down” interaction style that leaves the depressed person in charge, at least superficially. For example, instead of suggesting, “Let's go to the movies tonight,” you may want to suggest, “Hey, I'd really like to see a movie. Which one of these would you like to see with me?”

Encourage the depressed person to seek professional help. Accompany and support the depressed person, but make it clear that the responsibility for getting better lies with him or her. Attempts to externalize responsibility (“You forgot to remind me.” “She wouldn't drive me to the session.”) should be disputed and the responsibility for getting better placed back on the depressed person.

Remember that treatment is very effective. About 70 to 85 percent of depressed people improve within a few months after beginning treatment.

Support opportunities for the depressed person to be rewarded, such as visiting friends or going out for activities. However, don't force these situations, as this would be viewed as taking control.

Make sure to notice and praise any significant improvement. Be genuine. “I'm glad you're taking care of the kids; I've always appreciated that” is better than “Well, it's about time you took care of the kids again.”

Leave time for yourself and your own needs. Depression makes people lethargic, irritable, and self-focused; this will wear on you. Take breaks from the depressed person from time to time. It will help both of you.

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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 2/15/2006…#6413